Help heal Whitireia Park
Community members, businesses and school children are all invited to help the Onehunga Bay Restoration Group plant native trees and shrubs next Sunday (9 May), the first of three major planting days planned for Onehunga Bay this winter.
When: Sunday 9 May, between 10am to 3pm
Where: Onehunga Bay at the northern end of Whitireia Park
The group lost about two-thirds of its plantings from last year in February’s Whitireia Park fire, but group organiser Angus Hulme-Moir says that hasn’t deterred members.
“The fire was a setback and if it wasn’t for the work of fire fighters we could have lost a lot more of our plantings. All the support and offers of help we’ve had from the community since then have really spurred us on to make progress this year.
“We have close to 7000 trees and shrubs grown from locally sourced seed for the three planting days this year and we hope to get a lot of people to help us start the process of repairing the damage from February’s fire,” he says.
Greater Wellington’s Community Environmental Projects team leader Robyn Smith says it’s great the community wants to get involved in the restoration of the wider Whitireia Park and a long term plan for the Park’s management is being developed.
“In the meantime it’s important that we start that restoration in the Onehunga Bay area which already has a plan in place, and that people plant appropriate species.
“A consequence of the community’s desire to help out has been the planting of some species which could become weeds later on. So we urge people to come along and help out the Onehunga Bay group on Sunday May 9.”
Future plantings are planned for June 27 and August 1.
* Tools (spades and gloves) will be provided but if you have your own please bring them. Please wear solid footwear and bring a raincoat. Hot drinks and nibbles will also be provided. If you want to stay all day, please bring your lunch.